Splash preventing device for hose nozzles



July 23, 1940. c. T. LEWIS SPLASH PREVENTING DEVICE FOR HOSE NOZZLES Fild Aug. 12, 1939 Patented July 23, 1940 SPLASH PREVENTING'DEVICE FOR HOSE NOZZLES Charles '1. Lewis, Oklahoma City, Okla.

- Application August 12, 1939, Serial No. 289,880

1 Claim.

Thisinvention relates to dispensing nozzles for gasoline or other types of dispensing hose and pertains particularly to a device attachable to the nozzle for preventing splashing out and waste of the contents from a gasoline tank as the same is being filled. l

The present invention has for its primary object to provide a device which may be applied or attached to any of the usual flexible nozzles employed upon the hose of gasoline dispensing apparatus, which is introduced into the mouth of the filling pipe of a gasoline tank as the tank is being supplied with gasoline from the hose nozzle, and operates to prevent any of the gasoline splashing back through the filling pipe onto the ground or onto the body of the motor vehicle carrying the tank, thereby serving the multiple purpose of preventing waste of the fuel, preventing damage to the finish of the motor vehicle by the gasoline flowing thereover and also elimmating a fire hazard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a splash preventing device for attachment to the dispensing nozzle of a gasoline hose which comprises a tapered collar which is adapted to be placed on and about the nozzle at the inner end thereof, for introduction into the filling pipe of a gasoline tank, which collar is provided with a series of small air vent passages which, while permitting air to escape from the tank as the tank is being filled, will not permit the gasoline to escape from the tank in the event that the tank is overfilled.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in side elevation a dispensing hose nozzle together with a tank filling pipe in section, showing the device embodying the present invention applied tothe nozzle.

Fig. 2 is aview in end elevation of the splash preventer.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l designates a gasoline filling hose nozzle upon which the device embodying the present invention is shown applied, the device being generally indicated by the numeral 2. The filling pipe of the gasoline tank is indicated at 3, showing how the splash and waste preventing device 2 fits therein.

The device 2 comprises an annular body formed of rubber, rubber composition or other suitable pliable material. The central'passage 4 which is formed through this collar 2 is initially of a diameter slightly less than the overall diameter of the nozzle I over which it is to be placed and the outer end of the collar is relatively wide, forming a head 5 which at its periphery is shaped to form a flange 6 which merges with the tapering or conical wall 1 which extends to the inner end of the collar. The splash preventing device thus substantially constitutes a tapered plug having a' relatively wide head 5 at its outer end which projects beyond the tapered outer wall so as to form the overhanging flange 6 which, when the tapered portion is inserted in the mouth of the tank filling pipe 3, engages the edge. of the pipe mouth to completely close the pipe. This function of the flange 6 is particularly desirable where the maximum diameter of the tapered wall portion might happen to be slightly less than the interior diameter of the pipe into which the collar is inserted.

In order that the air displaced in the tank by the introduced gasoline may readily escape, the collar is provided with the several axially extending air escape passages 8 which lie in relatively close proximity to the wall of the passage 4 so that at their inner ends they open through the end of the tapered part of the collar rather than through the tapered wall itself.

In the use of the present splash protector, the same is forced over the dispensing nozzle so that the protector will securely grip and hold the nozzle thus being firmly maintained against movement thereon and also, by reason of its tight engagement therearound preventing the passage of gasoline between the collar and the nozzle. The collar is placed at the inner end of the nozzle so that the major portion of the latter may be inserted into the filling pipe 3. When the nozzle is inserted, the tapered part of the collar will be extended into the pipe and if the tapered wall does not contact the mouth of the pipe so as to securely close it, the flange 6 will engage over the end of the pipe and thus close it against the escape of gasoline if the tank is over-filled. While the tank is being filled, the displaced air will escape therefrom through the passages 8. These passages are preferably formed to extend diagonally with respect to the length or axis of the collar so that their inner ends will open through the inner end wall of the collar at approximately midway between the wall 1 and the wall of the passage 4 while at their outer ends they open substantially midway between the wall of the passage 4 and the periphery of the head. It will be apparent, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the disposition of the passages in this specific manner as it will be obvious that they may be run in any other manner through the head so long as they provide the desired escape means for the air.

As has previously been stated, the air holes or passages 8 are preferably disposed obliquely to the length of the collar and the nozzle, the object being to prevent as much as possible the escape of gasoline through splashing in the tank. ,In other words, any direct splashing against the inner end of the collar will be blocked from passing through the passages due to the inclination of the same whereas if such passages ran straight or parallel to the length of the nozzle, the splashing liquid might pass directly out through the passages.

The splash preventer is preferablyto be formed of spongy rubber so that it may act to absorb any gasoline which may splash against it as the tank is being filled. In the process of filling a tank, very few operators will hold the protector firmly against the tank inlet or against the mouth of the filling pipe but will let the protector sag so as to form an opening at the top of the filling pipe through which the operator may listen to the sound produced by the gasoline flowing into the tank and thuls be able to determine when the tank is nearly filled. If splash should occur while the protector is in this position, the gasoline would be absorbed by the sponge rubber protector instead of being defiected from it through the opening between the deflector and the mouth of the pipe as might be the case it the protector were made of hard or solid material. Again it often happens that when the hose nozzle is withdrawn from the tank, a small quantity of gasoline will run down the side of the nozzle and may drip on the body of the motor vehicle whereas with the protector, this will be prevented as this drip will be absorbed by the sponge-like rubber body of the protector.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the device herein described constitutes a simple inexpensive and easily applied means for preventing waste of gasoline and for eliminating fire hazard.

While the invention has been described as being designed for application to the nozzle of a gasoline dispensing hose, it will, of course, be understood that it is not to be limited to use in this capacity as it may be used upon any dispensing nozzle where it is found suitable.

What is claimed is:

A splash preventing device adapted for application to a dispensing hose nozzle, comprising a collar-like body having a central passage of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the nozzle which the body is designed to encircle, the body being exteriorly tapered from one end throughout the major portion of its length, the other end of the body constituting a relatively wide head terminating in a flange on its inner side which merges with the tapered wall of the body, and the body having an air passage extending longitudinally therethrough.

CHARLES T. LEWIS. 

